Sigur Rós

The prodigals return on Valtari as Sigur Rós’ sixth album revisits the dour deliberate soundscapes that first earned them acclaim. The Icelandic quartet’s epic sweep, the icy, distant elegance and fragile beauty of singer “Jonsi” Birgisson’s cooing falsetto coalesced in striking cinematic set pieces with the grandeur of an Albert Bierstadt western landscape. Their last two albums—2006’s Takk... and 2008’s Med Sud I Eyrum Vid Spilum Endalaust—blew back the grey clouds to reveal a heretofore unwitnessed sunny disposition with concision approaching a buzzcut compared to their prior prodigious lengths. That approach recedes on Valtari, but for a few stray rays of heavenly illumination dancing cross the floor like a prison spotlight. -Chris Parker
8pm. $36. Also on Mon., July 30. Mann Center for the Performing Arts, 5201 Parkside Ave. manncenter.org